Biography

Early history

The fearless and wizened leader of the Bloodhoof Tauren, Cairne lived near the shores of the Great Sea in the Barrens. He was childhood friends with Hamuul Runetotem.[7] His lifemate was Tamaala, who bore their son Baine, but she died prior to the Third War.

Cairne was a peerless warrior and a wise leader of his ancient people. Though slowed somewhat by the weight of age, Cairne still possessed great strength and valor. He knew that his people were in grave danger of extermination from the marauding centaurs. However, he never gave up hope of one day finding a way to lead his people to a new land where they could make their home and live in peace.[8] Concerned about the rising threat of vicious centaur tribes, Cairne sought to establish home for all tauren tribes in the land of Mulgore[9] as the Centaur marauders' attacked his people and their hunting of local game to near extinction.[10]

Third War

Things changed when Cairne met Thrall, the young warchief of the new orcishHorde, and, watching him battle and destroy a group of centaurs who had been attacking a tauren, he became intrigued with their nobility and savagery. When Thrall told him that they came to look for their destiny, Cairne directed him to the north, where there was an Oracle.

Thrall reported seeing an army of centaur going north, and Cairne quickly left to defend his village. Thrall brought his followers with him, and followed Cairne to defend the village. After defending against wave after wave of centaur warriors, Cairne told Thrall of his plight, and Thrall vowed to protect the caravan of Tauren as they crossed the barrens to Mulgore, in exchange for the location of the Oracle.

Cairne and Thrall managed to evade and defeat the centaur marauders, and finally made it to Mulgore. Cairne told Thrall that the Oracle was within Stonetalon Peak, and bid him good luck.

Upon arriving at Stonetalon, Thrall was surprised to find that Cairne had sought him out, and pledged to repay the debt they owed Thrall and the Horde. Cairne enlisted the wyverns to help them, and helped to free them from the harpies. He then helped to claim the peak from the humans so that they could enter freely. However, Jaina Proudmoore entered first.

Cairne and Thrall split upon entering the bowels of Stonetalon, and Cairne found an enchanted spirit stone that would activate an ethereal bridge towards the Oracle. When they found the Oracle, Cairne and Thrall found Jaina already there. All three spoke to the Oracle, who told them that they must all ally if they wished to defeat the Burning Legion. The three hesitantly agreed.

Cairne's wisdom and strength, and the power of his tauren warriors, helped Thrall to reclaim Grom Hellscream. In a combined effort, the sorcery of all three races were needed to purge the demonic influence from Hellscream. United in arms, Cairne pledged the loyalty of his race to the Horde, and together, they managed to defeat the Burning Legion once again.

Founding of Durotar

Cairne helped the orcs establish their new nation of Durotar before bidding them farewell and leaving to take his own people to a new land in Mulgore. There, they established a strong defense against the centaurs and harpies who harassed them. Several months later, however, Cairne's son, Baine Bloodhoof, was captured by centaurs. Cairne feared the worst, and slipped into a lethargic depression. His followers scrambled to lead their people adequately, but they were no substitute for Cairne's wisdom. His second, Tagar, tried to help Cairne, but Cairne would not hear of it. Tagar feared that without the leadership of Cairne, the tauren would not last long.

When Rexxar and Rokhan arrived to ask Cairne for the tauren's assistance in the coming battle against Admiral Proudmoore and his Kul Tiras forces, Cairne told them to leave him and tell Thrall that he had died. Tagar told the heroes of Baine's capture, and they quickly left to investigate his disappearance. With the help of Bovan Windtotem, they recovered Baine and returned him to his happy father.

Cairne, overjoyed, told Rexxar that not only would he pledge the service of his people to Thrall once more, he would be returning himself. He joined with Rexxar's band of warriors and returned to Dustwallow, and then helped to repel Proudmoore's forces. Victorious, they then took the fight to the humans and ended Proudmoore's invasion. Cairne returned to his people and his son in Mulgore.

World of Warcraft

Cairne also recognized that the nomadic traditions of tauren society were a danger to the survival of the people. There were few tauren, and their wandering lifestyle meant that they would be vulnerable to attacks by centaur, quilboar and other races. With the help of the Horde, Cairne secured the grasslands of Mulgore as a permanent home for all the tauren tribes, and constructed their first city high atop Thunder Bluff.

Over time, the scattered tauren tribes united under Cairne’s rule. There were a few tribes disagreeing about the direction their new nation should take, but all agreed that Cairne was the wisest and best suited to lead them towards the future.[7] Yet Cairne was not without his detractors. Although Cairne welcomed all tribes in their newly established capital of Thunder Bluff, Elder Crone Magatha Grimtotem of the Grimtotem tribe often butted heads with the high chieftain, believing she should lead the tauren.[9]

Cairne Bloodhoof was a level ?? faction leader located on the High Rise in the tauren city of Thunder Bluff. He honored members of the Horde who attained the title of Loremaster by delivering to them their [Loremaster's Colors]. When the Horde entered into negotiations with Quel'Thalas, he openly opposed the blood elves' methods, but recognized the Blood Knights' strategic value.[12]

World of Warcraft: The Comic

At some point, the Pools of Vision were mysteriously being haunted by a powerful Earth Elemental. Cairne Bloodhoof was hesitant to drive it away because he wanted to understand what has disturbed it first, so as to discover what has disturbed the natural balance of Azeroth. During a night, it was said that Cairne left the city and the gladiator champion named Lo'Gosh was able to defeat it and cleanse the Pools of Vision. Magatha Grimtotem glorified Lo'Gosh's victory in order to discredit Cairne for being unable to cleanse the elemental from the Pools of Vision. However, Hamuul Runetotem, Rehgar and his gladiators thought that the elemental was Magatha's doing.

The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

Cairne traveled to Garrosh at Warsong Hold where he also met Saurfang in whose eyes could see that ghost will be haunting him. While the elder orc remained in Northrend, Grom's son went with Cairne to Garrosh's Landing from where they should aboard the ship that Cairne came. However they were attacked by Kvaldir and were forced to retreat. Surprisely, Garrosh revealed hidden grenades which were used against invading Kvaldir. Both, the tauren and the Mag'har orc then entered the ship and sailed into Orgrimmar. However, a natural catastrophe occurred and when it was over, an alliance ship came in view and he witnessed Garrosh's brutality and mercy. Cairne was impressed with Garrosh Hellscream's ability as a commander after visiting Warsong Hold in Northrend. After they came into Orgrimmar, Cairne, Hamuul and other tauren representatives took a part in Garrosh's ceremony, where it was decided that Hamuul would go to a meeting with Cenarion Circle druids in order to get help of materials for the Horde. After the ceremony was over, Cairne saw Magatha speaking with Garrosh and set off home with taurens veterans and Perith to Baine.

Later on he opposes his selection as Thrall's replacement, and makes his feelings known to the outgoing Warchief; the old friends bitterly part ways as Thrall leaves for Outland, both leaders refusing to budge on their positions. Some time later, Cairne met with Hamuul and discussed how Garrosh had had Orgrimmar rebuilt. Cairne had not liked the more aggressive ways of the older Horde and now, Orgrimmar looked like as if it was their bastion.

Upon receiving word from the owl Hamuul sent, that the new Warchief sanctioned the killing of innocent druids (actually carried out by orcs loyal to Twilight's Hammer), Cairne issues a Mak'gora, challenging Garrosh for leadership of the Horde. Garrosh accepts, but adds the caveat that the combat would not be the non-lethal combat sanctioned by Thrall, but by the old laws - to the death. Cairne agrees, and the combatants meet in the arena in Orgrimmar.

Each combatant is allowed one weapon and no armor. Cairne takes up his Bloodhoof Runespear, a sacred weapon of the Bloodhoof chieftains, while Garrosh carries Gorehowl, the axe that belonged to his father, Grom Hellscream. The weapons are blessed by shaman; Gorehowl is blessed by Magatha Grimtotem, who seems approving of the new Warchief. At first gaining the upper hand, the Runespear is shattered by Gorehowl and Cairne takes a glancing slash in the chest. Cairne suddenly becomes faint and unable to raise what remained of his Runespear to defend himself, and he realizes that Magatha has poisoned Garrosh's weapon. Cairne's last thought is a lament - that he, who had lived with honor, would die betrayed, just as the howling axe of Hellscream slices into his neck. The tauren leader dies before he even hits the ground.

The moment Cairne died, Magatha orders the Grimtotem tribe to take over Thunder Bluff and the surrounding towns, murdering everyone who stood in their way. Baine, Cairne's son and heir, manages to escape, and with the aid of Jevan Grimtotem, Gazlowe, leader of the goblins of Ratchet, retakes Thunder Bluff and exiles Magatha and the surviving Grimtotems who chose to follow her instead of Jevan. Baine is formally installed as leader of Thunder Bluff and chieftain of the tauren.

Cairne's remains are placed upon a pyre along with the shattered debris of his Runespear. Thrall returns from Outland to mourn him, regretting that he parted on bad terms with his friend. He weeps for the loss of a future lifetime of his friendship, his kindness, wisdom, and humor. Thrall speaks to the wind, hoping that Cairne's spirit hears him, to tell him that Cairne and the tauren were always the heart of the Horde - their true spiritual center, of forgiveness, compassion, and guidance. Thrall places his hand reverently on Cairne's now peaceful brow, to say a final goodbye to his old friend, and took with him the smallest piece of Cairne's Runespear to forever remember him and be in touch with his heart. The fragment was etched with a single rune, whose meaning did not escape Thrall - "healing".

Death and legacy

During Children's Week, Cairne is shown being honored by his son and the elders of Thunder Bluff. He is then allowed to join the other elders in the Spirit World.

During the trial of Garrosh Hellscream, Cairne's ghost was summoned by Kador Cloudsong in order to speak with Baine who was troubled with defending Garrosh. He advised him to do the thing he feels is the best. Apparently Cairne knew about the outcome that will come but was not allowed to say it and thus vanished.[13]

Personality

Cairne was dedicated to serving his people and to watching over their safety in an ever-darkening world. An outstanding warrior, Cairne was considered one of the most dangerous creatures alive. Despite his strength and valor, he was a gentle soul who longs only for the peace and tranquility of the open plains. It was rumored that if he could lay the responsibilities of chieftain on another, Cairne would leave Thunder Bluff in an instant and retire to the wilds. Many believed that he was training his son, Baine, to take his place as chieftain one fateful day.[14]

In the RPG

Cairne Bloodhoof is the High Chieftain of the United Tauren Tribes.[15][16]

He employs only tauren holy striders, out of respect of their long heritage. Although his demeanor does not suggest a covert mind, Cairne does not disclose how many holy striders he employs, only that they are all tauren. Perith Stormhoof, a notable holy strider works only for Cairne Bloodhoof and keeps many of his leader’s secrets (even secrets Thrall doesn’t know).[17]

Cairne is the spiritual leader for the tauren tribes in Kalimdor. He has an incredibly strong connection with the environment and deeply respects both the elemental forces and the natural beasts of the wild.

Cairne is an extremely wise individual, but his lumbering demeanor often comes across as ponderously slow to members of other races. He always prefers to contemplate problems before acting to try to solve them, and frequently meditates for several days in a row without interruption. However, when he does decide to act, Cairne can rarely be deterred from his path. He fights with incredible passion, but is never out of control. He prefers to observe his enemies before fighting them so that he can more fully understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Cairne has a very trusting attitude toward orcs and greatly respects their newly shamanistic culture. Night elves are likewise regarded positively because of their strong connection with the woodland environment. However, he usually avoids humans, dwarves and goblins; and if they must be dealt with, he tends to treat them in a patronizing manner. Cairne believes that the spiritual eyes of these races have not fully opened yet, and that members of these races are, in essence, children who are still learning and must be coddled. He has great disdain for the arcane practices of high elves and deeply resents their abandonment of the natural ways.[18]

Tactics

Thunder Bluff is a very easy city to get into. It can be under-guarded by Horde players so you do not always have to worry about them. Get the entire raid onto an elevator and go up. However, if word of incoming Alliance raids reaches the Horde, it is likely that shamans and balance druids will blow players off the platforms, making it much much more difficult to get to him. Run straight for the giant totem pole in the center and run up it to Cairne's rise. Go to the center of the little amphitheater and AoE all the guards that you pulled. Then pull and kill Cairne.

Cairne isn't as difficult to deal with as the other Horde bosses. He has several knock-back attacks that he will use on the tank as well as a random charge. The main tank should immediately run behind Cairne, while the rest of the raid should spread out. No one is to go beyond the first set of tents because if Cairne charges them, he will run back to his tent and reset.

Without the worry of a reset, Cairne was a really simple fight and could be downed without much resistance.

Abilities

Cleave — Inflicts 110% of normal melee damage to an enemy and its nearest allies, affecting up to 3 targets.

Mortal Strike — Inflicts 200% weapon damage and leaves the target wounded, reducing the effectiveness of any healing by 50% for 5 sec.

Thunderclap — Inflicts 1407 to 1593 Nature damage to nearby enemies, increasing the time between their attacks by 100% and slowing their movement by 60% for 8 sec.

Warstomp — Inflicts Physical damage to nearby enemies, knocking them back and stunning them for 6 sec.

Quotes

Warcraft III

I am Cairne, chief of the Bloodhoof tauren. You greenskins fight with savagery and valor. I am intrigued.

Our debt to you orcs can only be repaid with blood. We've come to help you reach the Oracle. However, those metal-clad pinkskins look like trouble.

Ha! There's no need to coddle me, boy. I may be old, but I'm not helpless.

(to Rexxar) Now, you said that your warchief was in trouble – that the Horde needed the tauren once again. Well, Thrall did much for us in his time, and we will not fail him. My warriors will rendezvous with the warchief upon the battlefield, but I will be returning with YOU!

World of Warcraft

Greetings young one, and welcome to Thunder Bluff. You'll find safe refuge from the burdens of the world here. All denizens of the Horde are welcome here.

The spirits of the present and past come alive here in this sacred place, my friend. Honor them, and in doing so honor yourself.

Greetings

We Tauren have always held a great respect for the ways of the Earthmother.

I am Cairne, chief of the Bloodhoof Tauren.

Take heart young one, the Earthmother is near.

Ish-ne-alo por-ah, may the Earthmother smile upon you.

Aggro

Ishne'alo'porah!

For honor!

Raid wipe

The attackers have fled! Strength and honor to the Horde!

WoW TCG

Ha! There's no need to coddle me, boy. I may be old, but I'm not helpless.[19]

The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

"My father once said, 'Destruction is easy.' [...] But creating something that lasts—that, my father said, was a challenge."

"What else did your father say?" Cairne, as described by his son, seemed so very wise to Anduin, and he hungered for more.Baine snorted slightly in laughter that was warm and genuine and yet laced with the pain of remembering too early for nostalgia."There was something about ... eating all your vegetables."

Notes & trivia

During the Third War, he was 99. He died at the age of 106 or 107.

His name was spelled Cairn in the earlier development of Warcraft III.[20]

Baring a lucky strike or similar turn of fortune, Cairne would have likely won the mak'gora. He was calm, and it was practically child's play for him to goad Garrosh and use his reckless anger against him. All eyewitness accounts recorded that Cairne was doing well and was winning before he was poisoned.[23]

He appears as a legendary card in Hearthstone. Upon death, he summons Baine Bloodhoof. His flavor text reads: "Cairne was killed by Garrosh, so... don't put this guy in a Warrior deck. It's pretty insensitive."

With the ascension of Vol'jin and later Sylvanas Windrunner to the title of Warchief, Cairne is the only Horde racial leader from vanilla to not have received the title. He nearly did attain the title after he and Warchief Garrosh Hellscream fought a Mak'gora, though Cairne admitted to himself that he merely planned to hold unto the title until Thrall's return. All witnesses noticed that Cairne was winning when Garrosh got a lucky hit with Gorehowl, that unknown to both participants was poisoned by Magatha Grimtotem, thus securing Garrosh's victory.[26]

An unused NPC representing Cairne is situated in the same ID range as other legendary warriors presumably meant to appear in Skyhold. He and most of these NPCs didn't make it out of the Legion alpha stage.

Alternate timeline

In an alternate timeline, Cairne died just like he did in the main universe. As a contrast, his son avenged his father by killing Garrosh and becoming the next Warchief of the Horde. When Warchief Baine was teleported inside the Temple of the White Tiger, it was Cairne's words that enabled him to accept his other self.[27]

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